Editor’s note: Experiential travel is the new buzzword. Holidays are now about experiencing something extraordinary, immersing in new cultures, and venturing where few have been. Expedition yachting, however, comes with complications. Permits, guides, and experiences are all harder to source in remote destinations. This is where the yacht-expedition specialists at Pelorus come in. Pelorus plans routes and takes care of the technical logistics. In addition, it draws on an extensive network of local experts, including ice pilots, government and military links, the BBC natural–history department, marine biologists, and scientists, to create unique itineraries.
The Pelorus team has been involved in expedition yachting in unexplored, beautiful corners of the world. These range from the Amazon River to the Arctic Circle. Here, they share five exciting destinations to consider right now.
1. AMAZON
Harriet Dunderdale, Pelorus’ yacht manager, visited the world’s largest eco-system, the Amazon River, onboard a 230-foot-plus (70-meter-plus) superyacht. The expedition yachting cruise extended from the vast stretch of river through the tributaries and towards Manaus, the capital city of the Amazonas. Guests explored the abundance of wildlife and plant species (above). They swam with the indigenous pink dolphins, fished for piranhas off the side of the tender, and kayaked through a lagoon full of crocodiles. A once-in-a-lifetime moment occurred when the guests went wakeboarding across the meeting of the rivers.
2. INDONESIA
The Indonesian expedition leader has spent 30 years exploring the 17,000 islands. Recently, he led a 131-foot (40-meter) yacht cruise around the Forgotten Islands—a region literally forgotten by the rest of the world. In Pelorus’ experience, no two trips are the same. Guests continually identified new dive sites, visited indigenous tribes, and hiked up volcanoes. On another expedition yachting trip in Komodo (below), Pelorus took guests hiking through the ethereal rainforest, beneath live volcanoes. They additionally snorkeled with eclectic fish. The yacht weaved her way through the Banda Islands, allowing the guests to immerse themselves in the mesmerizing culture.
3. SVALBARD
Geordie Mackay-Lewis, Pelorus’ co-founder, took a 164-foot-plus (50-meter-plus) yacht to this isolated archipelago. He did so by working with the team that filmed BBC’s Planet Earth there. Guests explored the imposing terrain, stark glaciers (top), and incredible wildlife. They experienced the thrill of crossing vast, open expanses by dogsled and snowmobiles, constantly on the lookout for polar bears. In addition, they got remarkably close to walrus colonies by tender. They kayaked among icebergs the size of houses; abseiled into deep crevasses; barbequed on the pack ice in utter seclusion; ski toured across terrain led by professional guides; and watched guillemots smashing into the water while in the water.
4. GALAPAGOS
By working with Galapagos government officials, Pelorus lets expedition yachting guests participate in a conservation project that only the BBC and National Geographic have experienced. Alongside scientists and ecologists, guests discover the incredible surroundings from the highlands to the sea. They can dive, observing hammerhead, black tip, and white tip sharks. They can visit one of the world’s best beaches to see one of the largest populations of sea lions (below). In addition, guests can walk along Prince Philip’s steps and encounter the largest colony of red-footed boobies. Finally, they can enjoy a sunrise hike through the lava formations.
5. BAJA
Pelorus uses top marine biologists to increase the chances of wildlife encounters in the Baja peninsula. These include whales, sharks, and dolphins. The guide can take guests to see enormous grey and blue whales while they fed in the plankton-rich waters. Further along the coast, they can witness schools of hammerhead sharks, spot whale sharks, as well as snorkel with amberjacks, tuna, octopus ,and the impressive Panamic green moray. The finale is racing purpose-built, off-road buggies over some of the most challenging yet exciting terrain in North America.
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